Railway-tie.



PATENTED JAN. 22, 1907.

0. BL VAN HORN a; D. TOWNSEND.

RAILWAY TIE. APPLICATION FILED MAR.14, 190s.

FIG'rZ 5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' INVENTORS: 0/0015: Q'IWIYA/OFIV No. 841,742. PATENTED JAN. 22, 1907. 0. B. VAN HORN & D. TOWNSEND.

RAILWAY TIE. A?PLIOATION FILED AN. 14', 1906.

5 SHEETS-8HEET '2.

FIciI/Z FIQ ' PATENTED JAN. 22, .1907. G. B'. VAN HORN & D. TOWNSEND. v

RAILWAY TIE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET s VENT RS;

WITNESSES cwfi s q w flai/v I 0/1100 row/mam, y D v j IY%6 No.'841,742. y N I PATENTED' JAN. 22, 1907.

. 'G.'B. VAN HORN & 11. TOWNSEND.

' RAILWAY, TIE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14, 1906-.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

INVENTORS: WHNESSES cm/flzgg m/wo p/v (my/0 row/mam,

' strength with less weight than such devices trically insulate the ties from the rails which they support.

- sectional'views of different forms of ties, em

"State of Pennsylvania, have invented cerway-Ties, whereof the following is a specifi provements.

TED

are 1 one.

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS TO COMMERCIAL ENeiNEEmNo COM- PANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent. 4

RAILWAY-TIE}.

Patented Jan. 22, 1907.

Application filed March 14, 1906. Serial No. 305.936-

To all whom it may concern. I

Be it known that we,CHARLEs B. VAN HORN and DAVID TOWNSEND, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and tain new and useful Improvements in Railcation, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. I

It is an object of our invention to provide a railway-tie which may be so constructed of metal as to have the necessary rigidity and of the prior art.

As hereinafter described, ourinvention includes a railway-tie comprising'an outer shell of sheet metal vertically braced by webs extending longitudinally within said shell intermediate of its side Walls and having clamping devices which may be adjusted so as to immovably secure rails in different positions. with res set to the. length of the tie to compensate or the usual inaccuracies in laying the ties and rails' p A OOIIVGDIQIII)ildjllllCtlVS feature of our invention is the provision of means to elec- Our invention comprehends the various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

In the accoin anying drawings, Figure'I is a plan view showing a fragment of a tie' and rail conveniently embodying our im-: Fig. II is a sectional viewtaken on the line II II in Fig. I. Fig. III is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line III III in Fig. I. Fig. IV is a sectional view similar to II, but with the clam ing devices adjusted to clamp the rail in a ifferent osition with respect to the length of the tie. Figs. .V, VI, and VII are respectively crossbodying our invention. Fig. V I is a sectional view of a tie and ,rail embo ying ourinvention and including means to insulate the rail from the tie. Fig. IX is a cross-sectional view of the tie shown Fig-. VIII. Figs. X and XI are cross-sectional yiews of ties rovided with reinforced upper walls. Fig. II is a plan view of a cast-metal braceframe. Fig. XIII is a longitudinal sectional view of said frame, taken on the line XIII XIII in Fig. XII. Fig. XIV is a transverse sectional view of said frame, taken on the line XIV XIV in Fig. XII. Fig. XV is a transverse sectional view of a tie rovided with sheet-metal braces. .Fig. VI is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the oscillatory clamp-blocks shown in Figs. I II, and-IV, taken on the line XVI XVI, in Fig. XVII. Fig. XVII is a lan view of said clamp-block. Fig. XVII is a transverse sectional' view of said clamp-block,

taken on the line XVIII .XVIII in Fig. XVII. Figs. XIX and XX are'transverse sectional views of ties, showing difierentarrangements of the interior braces.

Referrin shown in Flgs. I to IV, inclusive, the tie comprises a sheet-metal tube having the upper wall 1, side walls 2, bottom-wall 4, andcentral vertical webs 5.. As best shown in Fig.

III, the bottom wall A is wider than the wall 1, and the upper portions of the side Walls 2 are curved toward the wall lpand present shoulders 7 at the edges of said wall.' Said central webs 5 serve to" vertically brace the tie throughout its length, and the tie is further stiflened and reinforced by the braceframes 9, whose upper fianges10fit between Fig. III. The vertical websotfsaid braceframes 9. are provided with holes 11, which register with holes of the same size. in the th the form of our invention said webs 5 and the shoulders. 7, as shown in webs 5, as indicated in Fig. III, and receive the lower hooked ends113 .of the bolts 14,

which are enteredfithrou h said. webs fromj opposite sides thereof. aidupper flanges 1001? the frames 9 areprovi'ded with slots 15,

which register with corresponding slots 17 "in the upper wall.1 of the tie,-ai1d, as indicated in Fi I, the opposite ends of said slots are roun ed, and the perimeters of' t'he slots are such that. they may be formed by 'acircula'r milling-cutter, as "indicated 'by the dotted line 18 in Fig. II. Said slots 15 and 17 when registeredforni sog'ikets to receive the oscil' latory clam -blocks 20, which embrace the bolts 14. aid blocks 20 are provided with flanges 21, which overlap the base-flanges 23 of the rail 25 and iinmovabl secure the lat-, ter in adjusted position Wit 1 respect to the tie. As lndicated in dotted lines in Figs. II and IV and in detail in Figs. XVI, XV II and XVIII, said cl amp-blocks 20 are provided with holes 26, which iit the bolts 14 laterally, butwhich are flared longitudinally to permit the relative oscillation of the bolts 14. Said I bolt-holes 26 merge into spheroidal seats 28 in the upper faces of said blocks 20, which fit the s heroidal Washers 30, carried by said f bolts eneath the nuts 31f The arrangement above described is'such that the bolts 14 may be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the tie by tilting said blocks in their sockets to permit the neces-' sary variation in location of the rails to compensate-for the inevitable inaccuracies in. laying the ties and railsthat is to say, it is found in practice that it is impossible to locate the tiesand rails with such relative accuracy that the rails shall lie upon each tie in the same relation to its length, and our clamping devices aforesaid are designed to not only permit the. ad'ustment of the bolts 14 in the direction of the length of the tie to correspond with the variations in location of .the

. rails 25, but to immovably secure the bolts in their adjusted position. shown in Fig; II, the rail 25 is located in the justed position.

For instance, as

theoretically correct positionvi z., in symmetrical relation with thebrace-frames 9- and the bolts 14 and clamp-blocks 20 are symmetrically disposed upon opposite sides of the rail. On the'contrary, as shown in Fi IV, the rail '25 is laid on the right-hand side of the center of the brace frames 9; and to compensate for such change in position' the bolts 14 are. shifted toward the righthand side of the openings 11 in said frames 9, and the clamp-blocks 20 are correspondingly. tilted to immovably retain the bolts in ad- Referring to Fig. IV, it may be observed that the aforesaid eccentric location. of the rail 25 leaves a greater extent of the sockets for the clamp-blocks upon theleft-hand side than upon the right-hand side of the rail 25, and the clamp-blocks are oppositely tilted in their sockets in the tie untilthe shoulder 22 of each clamp-block bears against the edge ofthe adjacent rail-flange 23, and the outer end of each clamp-block bears upon the outer end of its socket,in which position the bolts and clamp-blocks are immovably secured by the nuts 31 on said bolts 14, which force the washers 30 into engagement with their seats 28 in said blocks.

sits higher than said normal level.

, Comparing Figs. II and IV, it may be observed that whereas in the normal re a such change may lie readily effected by ahammer-blow after the rail is clamped. It

may .be again observed that regardless of the position of adjustment of the clamp-blocks longitudinally with respect to the tie said blocks fill their sockets and bear against the outer perimetersthereof, so as to positively prevent any lateral movement of the rails when secured as above described.

Although in the form of our invention above described we have shown the vertical brace-Webs 5 terminating in vertically-disposed edges beneath the upper wall 1 of the tie, it is to be understood that other forms 'may be employed. For instance, in Fig. V

the upper edges of the web 35 are turned outwardl to formhorizontalflanges 36, which abut against the shoulders 37. In the form of our invention shown inFig. VI the webs 39 are folded backwardly upon themselves, so that their terminal edges 40 are. at the bottom of the tie. In Fig. VII the Webs 42 are turned outwardly to 'formfd uble flanges 43, which extend to the shoulders 44 and are turned backwardly upon themselves, so that their terminal-edges-45 abut against the'bottom wall of the tie, and the latter is provided with ribs 46, which retain said edges 45.

Moreover', although the central webs of the .tie may be held in close relation by the hooked ends 13 of the bolts 14, as shown in Fig. III, we ma provide other means for maintaining sai webs in .close relation. For instance, as shown in Fig. VI, the webs 39 are secured together by-rivets 48. We alsofind it convenientto provide means to electrically insulate the rails from the ties, as

I shown in Figs. VIII and'IX, wherein the up per wall 49 of the tie is provided with the rib 50, which retains the upwardly extending ends 51 of thecentral webs 52 and engages a fog corresponding recess in the slab of insulating,

material 54. Said slab is conveniently coextensive with the width of thebase-flanges 23 of the rail 25 and may be adjusted with the rail longitudinally with respect to the tie. In this form of our invention the clampblocks 56' are provided with recesses 57, having facings 58 of insulating material, which bear upon the flanges 23 and immovab'ly retain the rail, although electrically insulating the latter from the bolts and tie. Moreover, as indicated in Fig. VIII, the outer ends of the clamp blocks 56 may be formed in steps 60 to be selectively engaged with the outer perimeters of the spckets in the tie in accordance With the position of adjustment of the. rail longitudinally with respect to the tie.

It may be observed that the rib '50 (shown. in Fig. IX) serves to reinforce the upper wall of the tie well asto engage the insulatingslab 54. llowever, other means maybe employed for reinforciiig said upper wall of the tie. For instance, as shown in Fig. X, the

upper wall 62 of the tie is formed of a greater thickness of metal than the side walls 63, but

iii-unitary relation therewith, and in Fig. XI

' -the upper wall 65 is reinforced by the pri 1 frames of cast metal, preferably-malleable iron. In said figures the frame has a slot 7]. in'its upper flange similar to the slot 15 above described, and the upper and lower flanges are rigidly connected by the trans-- verse vertial ribs 72, It may be observed that the aforesaid brace-frames 9 are made precisely alike, but placed in reversed rela-. tion in the tie, so as to present their bolt-; sockets upon respectively opposite sides of the rails. e

v It is to be understood that we do not de-' sire to limit ourselves to the employment of either the commercial rolledcliannel former;

J the cast-metal form of the brzice-framesf above described, for, as indicated in'fEig. XV,-

the brace-frames may be made ofsheet" metal of uniform thickness throughout its extent, but bent in channel formll iM'oreoveryi although we have shown the brace-frames in;

the tie with their vertical webs at the central. portion of its widtli and with their flanges; pointing outwardly, it' is to be understood that they may beotherwis'e located. For in; stance, in Fig..XIX- the brace-frames77 areI turned withtheir vertical webs toward the} outer walls of the tie and with their up'per and lower flanges pointing inwardly;' y Although we have not shown central: webs: of'the tie combined-with the brace-frames in i the reversed relation of the latter, (indicated in Fig. XIX,) it is to be understood that they may be employed therewith, as shown in Fig. XX, whereinthe frames 78 are placed with their vertical webs presented outwardly against the shoulders 79 in' the side walls of the tie and against the ribsSO in the bottom wall of the tie.

It is to be understood that in either of'the forms shown in Figs. XIX and XX the bolts for securing the rails on the ties may be turned with their hooked extremities extending outwardly through openings in the brace frames 7'Z and 78, or ordinary bolts may be em 'loyed to secure the rails to the ties.

lthough we find it convenient to make tliesl'ots 17 in the tie-shell and the slots 15 in the brace frames with a milling-cutter, as

l above described, when said shell and frames are made by rolling operations, it is to be understood that said slots may be punchedoin said shell and frames when they are made by pressin operations.

W'e 0 not desire specific forms .of our invention above de- -ing 'a socket; a.

theatop and bottom walls thereof; a slot in to limit ourselvesto the scribed, as it is obvioustha t various modifi cations may be made therein without departing from the essential features of our invention.

IVe claim V 1. In a railway-tie, the combination with a metallic tubular .shell of a brace-frame extending vertically in said shell, connecting the top and bottom walls thereof; a slot in said top wall; a slot in said frame-in registry with said wall-slot; said registered slots formclamp-blockfitted in said socket; and, a bolt extendingthrough said block; whereby said bolt is-maintained in adjusted position with respect to the length of the tie, substantially as set forth.

2. In a railway tie, the combination with a metallic tubular shell; of a brace-frame extending vertically in said shell, connecting said top wall; a slot in said frame in registry with said wall slot; said registered slots form'- ing a socket an oscillatory clamp-block fitted.

to said socket; and, a bolt extending through said block';.whereby said bolt is maintained in adjusted position with respect to the length-of the tie; said adjustment being determined by oscillatory movement of said block, substantially as set forth. I

'3, In a railway-tie, the combination with a metallic tubular shell having slots extending longitudinally in said shell; of bolts in said slots; and, means'distinct from said bolts, ar-

, ranged to' adjustably determine the position v of said bolts with respect to the length of the tie, comprising clamp-blocks fitted -in said slots, substantially. as set forth.

A. In a railway-tie, the'combination with a metallic tubular'shell having slots extending longitudinally in said shell; of bolts in said slots and means distinct from said bolts, arranged to adjustably determine the position of said bolts with respect to the length of the tie, comprising oscil teddn'said slots; said adjustment being determined by oscillatory movement of said blocks substantially as set forth.

atory clamp-blocks fit-,

'5. In a railway-tie, the'combination with a metallic tubular shell having slots extending longitudinally in said shell; of bolts in said slots ;.and means distinct from said bolts arranged to adjustably determine the position of said-bolts with respect to the length of the tie, comprising clamp-blocks fitted in said slots and having spheroidal seats; washers fitted to said seats and respectively encircling said washers and blocks in adjusted position in said slots, substantially as set forth;

6. In a railway-tie, the combination with a metallic tubular shell provided with a slot; of a clamp-block fitted to said slot and comprising a bolt-hole terminating in a spheroidal seat; a bolt provided with a washer fitted-to said seat; and, a nut on said bolt arranged to said bolts; and, nuts on said bolts holding whose top wall'is thicker than its side wall,

substantially as set forth. I

8. In a railway-tie, a metallic tubular shell. whose top wall is thicker than its side wall;

the extra thickness of metal of said top Wall being in unitary relation with said side wall,

substantially as set forth. 9. In a railway-tie, the combination with a metallic tubular shell having slots extending longitudinally in said shell; of bolts in said slots, and, means distinct from said bolts arranged to fill said slots and 'adjustably determine the position of said bolts with respect to forth.

' shoulders, at their 10. A railway-tie comprising a tubular shell of bent sheet metal whose opposite edges are brought togetherat the medial longitudi nal line of the tie, and form a vertical web extending in said tube; said edges terminating within said tube beneath the upper wa'l the lower wall of said tube, and the side walls comprising convexly-curved portions having wall, substantially asset forth.

11. A railway-tie comprising a tubular shell of bent sheet metal whose opposite edges are brought together at the medial longitudinal line of the tie; the upper wall being narrower than thelower wall of said tube, and

' forth.

12; In a railway-tie, the combination with a .metallic tubular sh ell; of a brace-frame, separate from said shell, extending vertically in said shell in contact with the top and bottom walls thereof, substantially as set forth.

13. In a railway-tie, thecombination with a tubular shell formed of bent sheet metal; of a brace comprising a vertical web extending longitudinally in said tube and terminating wholly within the latter, substantially as set'i'orth.

14. Ina railway-tie, the combination. with a tubular shell formed of bent sheet metal and comprisin a bottom wall which is continuous throng out its length a brace comprising a vertical web extending longitudinally in said tube and terminating wholly within said tube, substantially as set forth.

set forth; the length of the tie, substantially as set junctions with'said upper 15. In "a railway-tie, the combination with in saidtube; and rail-retainin bolts having hooked ends engaged with sai v vertical web, substantially as set forth. 1

' 17. In a railway-tie, the combination a metallic tubular shell; of a brace comprising a vertical Web extending longitudinally in said tube; and rail-retaining bolts having hooked ends extending transversely through holes in said vertical web, substantially as in saidshell and means securing said frame and shell in-rigidgrelation,shbstantially as set forth.

19. In a railway-tie, the combination with a metallic tubular shell; of a brace-frame thereof; said upper wall being narrower than separate from said shell extending vertically in saidshell; and rail-retaining means securing said frame and shell in rigid relation, substantiallyas set forth.

2e. Inarailway-tie, thecombination with a metallic tubular shell;-of a'brace-frame,

separate from said shell, extending vertically in said shell anda protection extending in wardly from said shell determining theposition of said brace-frame, substantially as set forth.

22. In a railway-tie, the combination with a metallic tubular shell; of a brace-frame, separate from said shell, extending vertically in said shell; and pro'ections extending inwardly from said shell at the opposite walls thereof, determining the position of said brace-frame, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto signed our names, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this13th day of March, 1906.

. CHARLES B. VAN HORN.

DAVID TOWNSEND.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR E. PAIGE, E. L. FULLERTON. 

